In the mid-2000s, in response to IED threats in Iraq, the US military sought an armored, bomb-resistant truck, more protected than an HMMWV.
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Replying to @EmilyGorcenski
The need was so great that the contracts weren't winner takes all. Anyone who could design one to meet specs got a contract.
1 reply 21 retweets 14 likes -
Replying to @EmilyGorcenski
The result was a surplus of vehicles. Many got shipped to Iraq and left there. But contracts had to be filled, and the trucks got built.
1 reply 21 retweets 12 likes -
Replying to @EmilyGorcenski
Many of these surplus vehicles ended up being sent to police forces for next to nothing. We had nowhere else to send them.
1 reply 26 retweets 19 likes -
Replying to @EmilyGorcenski
So yes. This militarization of the police is a direct result of the war in Iraq. Think about that. This is literally warfighting gear.
10 replies 99 retweets 149 likes -
Replying to @EmilyGorcenski
This is the current Google maps image of where Camp Liberty in Baghdad used to be. Those trucks? Yeah.pic.twitter.com/qy89ZmL6sP
2 replies 15 retweets 16 likes -
Replying to @EmilyGorcenski
The vehicles rolling up the streets of Baton Rouge are very much the same as what's there.
1 reply 13 retweets 16 likes -
Replying to @EmilyGorcenski
Look at this press release. "This $237,000 weapon will be unleashed on the streets of East Baton Rouge Parish" http://www.lencoarmor.com/east-baton-rouge-gets-new-armored-vehicle/ …
12 replies 149 retweets 91 likes -
Let me see if I can retrieve it from cache
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